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National market update

April Existing-Home Sales Up but Constrained

WASHINGTON (May 22, 2013) – Existing-home sales rose in April but remain below underlying demand because of limited inventory and tight credit, according to the National Association of Realtors®. All regions are showing strong price gains from a year ago. More...
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Mortgage Rates Trending Upward

May 23, 2013 - Mortgage rates climbed for the third consecutive week, according to the latest survey by mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. The average for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage now hovers a quarter percentage point higher than it did at the beginning of the month. The average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate loan climbed to 3.59% this week. More...Read more

National housing indicators

Existing home sales ()

4.97 million units*

Existing home median price ()

$192,800

Housing Starts ()

853,000 units*

New home sales ()

National economic indicators

Home ownership

1st Qtr 13

65.0%

1st Qtr 12

65.4%

The homeownership rate in the first quarter 2013 (65.0 percent) was lower than the first quarter 2012 rate (65.4 percent). The homeownership rate in the South was lower than the corresponding first quarter 2012 rate, while the rates in the Northeast, Midwest, and West were not statistically different from the rates a year ago.

New home sales

April 13

+2.3%

March 13

+3.5%

Sales of new single-family houses in April 2013 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 454,000. This is 2.3 percent (+/- 12.8%)* above the revised March 2013 estimate of 444,000.

Source: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

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Regional market updates

View market statistics for your region.

Click on the links below to view data from two different industry sources. Choose information on local prices & state sales from any of 178 metropolitan housing markets prepared by the National Association of REALTORS® or information on sales & price activity from local area markets in 25 states prepared by Clarus MarketMetrics.

Local Sales & Price Activity

Oscar Hernandez

Home Ownership matters…to people, to communities, and to America. Why? • For every two homes sold, one job is created in the U.S. • Each purchase generates as much as $60,000 in economic activity over time. Read more

Buying is now cheaper than renting in 74 percent of the nation’s largest cities. Low home prices and “rock-bottom” interest rates as well as tax advantages of homeownership are the reasons why it’s now cheaper to BUY a 2-bdrm home than to rent one. Check out this CNN Money article with the details. Read more

Disclaimer: The views, opinions, statements and/or ideas expressed in this Message Section do not reflect the ideas, policy, position, views or opinion of Move,Inc.

Consumer tips & hot properties

Storm Shelters in High Demand After Tornados

Daily Real Estate News- May 23, 2013 - "More home owners are considering adding storm shelters following a deadly tornado on Monday that tore through parts of Oklahoma City, flattening hundreds of homes and killing at least 24 people." More...Read more

10 Things to Consider Before Making an Offer on a Home

Putting in an offer on your first home can be a heart pounding experience. It is a good idea to take a moment before you take that important step and make sure you are ready by asking yourself these questions and discussing with your Realtor. More...Read more

Landscaping Can Impact Home Values

"If a landscaping change is positive, it can often enhance price and reduce a home’s time on the market... But if the change is negative, it can lower the price and lengthen the time a home remains for sale.” More...Read more

Moving Tips To Help Your Child Through The Big Move

Moving is a complicated process but it can be especially difficult on children. By the time we reach adulthood, most of us have lived in a variety of different places. However, for your children, the house and neighborhood you are now moving away from might be the only home they have ever known. More...
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Deck and Patio Lighting Ideas that Add Livability

Cool deck and patio lighting helps you get more use — and enjoyment — from your outdoor living spaces. Here are some examples to ready your summer time enjoyment. More...
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Housing Trends eNewsletter is filled with U.S. Census Bureau key market indicators, consumer videos, blogs, a real estate glossary, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, real estate radio, realtor.com® local community reports and local and national real estate sales and price activity provided by local MLSs and the National Association of REALTORS®.

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